In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three fundamental plans used. You must be able to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
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